Say what... Digital Magazine • Issue 37 • January 2017 • • http://saywhat.nz
Being: Water Wise...
Some of the best things about the warmer weather involve fun with, in or around water. However, water
safety is something many people overlook because they feel "...it will never happen to me..." - which is the
most dangerous attitude you could possibly adopt. Here's a few tips to help you reduce your risks.
Swimming spots in rivers can be great places in summer. If you pick your spot
carefully and check it out each time you swim there you can keep yourself and your
friends safe.
Swimming in a river is different from swimming in a pool or in the sea. Swimmers
often underestimate the power of the river or overestimate their own abilities.
The river bottom is irregular and can change from day to day and it is often difficult
to tell how deep a certain part of the river is. Many people are seriously injured
each year jumping into water that is too shallow.
Stay safe when swimming in rivers by:
• Learn swimming and swimming survival skills.
• Always swim as part of a group.
• Check for hazards both where you are swimming and downstream.
• Do not mix swimming with alcohol or drugs.
• Check out any jumping spot thoroughly before jumping. Do this by getting in
the water and physically checking the depth and the whole landing area. Do
this every time you visit a jumping spot to check that nothing has drifted into
the landing zone since you were last there.
Swimming...
Preschooler drownings typically occur when a child is allowed out of sight and
reach of a caregiver; in the bath, paddling pool, or bucket - or larger bodies of
water such as in a beach, lake or river.
No children under-five should be drowning in this country. Keep under fives within
arm's reach at all times. It only takes sixty seconds and around five centimetres of
water for a child to drown.
Safety Tips:
• Always empty and store paddling pools and water containers after use and
ensure you have a safely fenced play area
• Identify water hazards in and around your home and ensure your children can't
reach them
• If you're in a group of people, ensure you have an active supervision roster so
you know who is watching the children at all times
• Make sure older children don't have to take responsibility for younger children
• Teach your children water safety behaviour from as soon as they are old
enough to understand, things like: 'Never go near the water unless you're with
a grown up'
Under Fives...
PAG E
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